Meeting Minutes:
Friday, November 10, 2006
Volume 13; Issue 40

  

Table of Contents

Committee Reports

Membership Report
 (Click here to go to the Membership page)

No report.


Social Report
 (Click here to go to the Social Event page)

A sign up sheet for the holiday party is re-circulating.  Spanky could not make it so we had to hire a DJ.  As a result, the fee went up $5 per person.  If you put your name on the sheet you will be billed so make sure you can make it before you commit.
 

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

Program Schedule

  • 11/17/06   Fred Vandervort
  • 11/24/06   Thanksgiving
  • 12/01/06   Jana Greene @ New Location
  • 12/08/06   TBD
  • 12/15/06   Althea Bussert
  • 12/22/06   SPECIAL PROGRAM
  • 12/29/06   New Years
     

Treasurer Report

No report.

Leads Report

24-16 and 22-13.

This week's leads focus...

  • Randy Clark
  • Jeff Sobkoviak
  • Jim Crosman
     

Notable Mentions

Sandro Menasci had surgery this week but is doing well.

It is with sadness that today we said thank you and goodbye to our waitress of many years, Pat.  She will be missed but we wish her well in her retirement.

Question of the Day 

How many years have you been in business and how many years have you been in MABE?

  • Jim Bache ▪ 21 years/Since 2004
  • Bob Becker  ▪ 5 years/1.5 years
  • Robert Busch ▪ 29 years/Since 1997
  • Althea Bussert ▪ 25 years/Since 1992
  • Jim Crosman ▪ Since 1999/Since 2000
  • Ralph Cunningham ▪ 13 years/Since 2003
  • Mark Dreher ▪ 10 years/Since 2002
  • Don Ellis ▪ 25 years/Since 1990
  • Jana Greene ▪ 24 years/9 years
  • John Gruber ▪ 27 years/Since 1990
  • Joe Hesch ▪ 13years/9 years
  • Mark Howard ▪ 6 years/2 years  
  • Chuck Hultstrand ▪ 26 years/17 years
  • Andrew Jensen ▪ 12 years/Since 1999
  • Paul Kavanaugh ▪ Since 1978/Since 2002
  • Keith Miller ▪ 20 years/Since 1994
  • Gary Nelson ▪ 15 years/10 years
  • Roman Okonowski ▪ Member Since 1989
  • John Passante ▪ 5 years/Since January
  • Phil Passante ▪ 5 years/3 years
  • Phyllis Prater ▪ 20 years/4 years
  • Stuart Schindler ▪ 19 years/16 years
  • Jeff Sobkoviak ▪ 6 years/2 months
  • Dave Spiess ▪ 25 years/17 years
  • Greg Stewart ▪ 18 years/17 years
  • Mike Tanner ▪ 7 years/3 years
  • Bob Uber ▪ 25 years/Since 1994
  • Fred Vandervort ▪ 17 years/13 years
  • Carol Weishaar ▪ Since 1993/Since 1998
  • Mike Whalen ▪ Since 1986/15 years
  • Lisa Wolfe ▪ 6 years/2 years 
  • Joe Zingale ▪ Since 1997/Since 1997

Main Speaker 

[delete/bios/other/opendiscussion.htm]

This morning MABE celebrated it's 17th anniversary! 

Several former members came to help us celebrate the occasion... 

  • Wendy Rodgers and Hal Kunnen - House Masters

  • Jane Chiles - Pueblo Pediatrics

  • Tim Logan - CPA

  • Dave Trout - Coffin & Trout Jewelers

  • Bob Dowle - Exclusively Arizona

  • Dan Kendree - Carefree Travel Agency

What made you think about forming this group?
Tim Logan - I was a sole practitioner trying to figure out how to make my next buck.  I looked at other groups.  They had no integrity.  I thought "there has to be a better way".  I talked to a friend, Randy McIff,  about it.  We visited one of the better formed groups, Egypt.  We interviewed them to see how they retained members and maintained high quality.  We used this group as a guide for MABE.  We wanted a group where you can exchange referrals with confidence.   

What made you agree to invest in this new group?
Roman Okonowski - I was in another group and thought it was a joke.  There was no relationship building and ethical values were not top priority.  I was reluctant to join another.  But since joining, I have learned the value of business exchange, support and developing relationships.  If I never got another lead I would still be a member.

Greg Stewart - Keith Althoff took me to lunch and told me about the idea. I wanted to know what made it different from other lead groups?   MABE was only for owners.  They could make decisions on the spot. They were also only interested in quality members that shared the same ethics.  I joined because I liked the sound of it.   I also liked the fact that there was no pressure to have a lead and that I didn't have to use the people in the group. The idea was they had to earn that right.

Dave Spiess - Tim Logan was my CPA.  I also had a bad experience with lead groups.  I was convinced this would be different.  I left for one year and really missed it.  It is nice to know you're not out there by yourself.

Chuck Hultstrand  - Tim Logan called one day.  We met and talked about it.  It sounded different and I thought "Sure, why not?"  Business was my background and interest.  I was not sure about being in a leads group but I was impressed with the people I met.

The Statistics
According to the Small Business Administration...

  • 50% of all small businesses fail within their first year

  • 95% of all small businesses fail within their first five years

MABE has...

  • 4 founding members still active in the group (17 years!)

  • 10 members (22%) that have belonged for over 15 years

  • 18 members (39%) that have belonged for over 10 years

  • 28 members (61%) that have belonged for over 5 years

Compare the statistics.  It is amazing to think about the people and resources we have in this group! 

We help each other, support each other, we give leads, we give thanks and today...We CELEBRATE!

 

 
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